Val Strasser, a member of the Canton South varsity softball team who is going into her senior year, recently was chosen to play in The Ohio Coaches' Association tournament.
Strasser tried out for the team in Barberton and was selected to be on the Northeast Team. Six team representing the northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest, central and east districts of Ohio competed in the tournament. The Ohio All-star Underclassman Tournament, which was played in Pickerington on June 23-24, was played as a round robin competition.
Val played center field for her team. Twelve high schools were represented on the Northeast Team. The coach was Ray Dickerhoof of Hillsdale. Each team had 19 or 20 girls, and everyone played four full innings and batted in a continuous order throughout the tournament. Three games were played on Monday and two on Tuesday.
The tourney has had this format for eight years. The Central Team has won every year until this year when Val helped her Northeast Team take the Ohio title.
Val said her experience on the team was especially enjoyable as she was able to meet other high school athletes from around the state.